The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:14
The time of waiting and anticipation is over. Christ has arrived.
During Advent, we lit the candles of hope, love, joy and peace as we looked forward to arrival of Jesus . Tonight we light the fifth candle signifying the arrival of our Savior, Jesus the Christ.
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. His miraculous birth was foretold by ancient prophets, but it’s hard to wrap our heads around what it must have been like for the saints God selected and used for this most special of purposes. Matthew writes about Joseph, a small town carpenter, betrothed to Mary the teenage girl who conceived the baby by the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph must have been angry, confused and frightened, but he was also an honorable man.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. Matthew 1: 19-25 NKJV
Immanuel, God with us! The lyrics of a well known Christmas carol sum up the culmination of Advent:
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Til He appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
#Advent